Monday 10 October 2011

Nike and Kapoor


White Sand,Red Millet,Many Flowers : mixed media and pigment.

Work by internationally acclaimed artist Anish Kapoor at Edinburgh College of Art.
 Edinburgh International Festival, August 2011.



Untitled : Wax,oil based paint and steel : Anish Kapoor,2010.


As this huge sculpture very slowly rotates the metal blade peels off a minute amount of wax creating an interesting  textured surface.A plaster cast of the Winged Victory is  beautifully displayed in an archway. On the walls behind and on the upper floor are casts of the frieze from the Partheon.
The college owns a large collection of casts,most dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries,and are significant in that they are casts of the original works.Casts found in most collections are casts made from casts,rather than from originals.




Nike,Winged Victory of Samothrace.


The original sculpture,now in the Louvre in Paris,was discovered in 1863 in a field on the island of Samothrace.It is considered to be one of the great masterpieces of the Greco-Roman era. Created around 200 BC,it was carved in flawless white marble from the island of Paros in the Aegean.The quarries were in use from the 6th century BC onwards.




A lone flute player plays in a deserted corridor. I know little of this work other than that it is a side panel on a block,the front of which displays a relief depicting Aphrodite rising from the sea.




Aphrodite of Milos,better known as Venus de Milo welcomes visitors in the entrance hall.


The original marble sculpture of the goddess of love and beauty was found on the island of Milos in
1820 and dates from around 100-130 BC ,it is currently on display in the Louvre, Paris.



13 comments:

Pet said...

Funny, I just happened to be yesterday at the British Museum with my children. Greco-Roman sculptures always impress in their elegance, beauty and perfection, more than 2000 years after. Nearly as if it couldn't be!

Travel France Online said...

I love all sort of Art and i am always fascinated at the inspiration of contemporary artists as they have to be in complete breach with what has been done so far without going overboard otherwise they would loose their credibility with the public, and this is a very skillful exercise in itself!

Charlotte said...

Love the pictures of the Anish Kapoor, some of which are coming our way for a retrospective soon. We have one of his sky mirrors in the town centre, it's beautiful.

The cast gallery is fantastic, I love that copies are available to see as well as originals. Great photos as always.

biebkriebels said...

You have seen a lot of beautiful art. Luckily Kapoor is free again, but still limited in his movements. Those Chinese political people don't know what great artist they have.

Jenny Woolf said...

I often try to put my finger on what makes Anish Kapoor's art so fascinating and interesting, but I can't!

I like the cast room of the V & A - there's something so majestic about these big casts.

cosmos said...

I'm happy you returned to bogging, Ruby.
I'm afraid I have no eye for contemporary arts. It's much easier to appreciate the uplifting feeling or flowing movement of lithe and shapely figure of Nike.
Maybe there's more to modern arts than just what they look.
Have a nice day!

Tomoko said...

Hello,Ruby.
I have returned to blogging too.
Wow, many sculptures!!Today,it is good to share those contemporary arts. I have not known Anish Kapoor until you posted. The sophisticated sharp figure of the bell is catching my eyes. Winged Victory of Samothrace,the drape is beautiful! I am glad to visit you again.
Please enjoy your fall!Ruby.
Tomoko.

dritanje said...

Lovely pictures as ever Ruby. and as you said, it's brilliant that the Art College has copies of the originals. I must go and look at these Parthenon freizes soon!
Morelle xx

snowwhite said...

Welcome back Ruby!
This is first time to see the art of Anish Kapoor. His works are simple but so powerful.
Nike of Samothrace is familiar to many people in Nara, because the former JR Nara Station had displayed the replica of this goddess as the symbol and legacy of Silk Road Which had connected Japan with Greece once upon a time. All sculptures have graceful flowing lines, just beautiful!
Best wishes,

Lynne with an e said...

From the sublime to the ridiculous.

Virginia said...

A very eclectic assortment you have for us today. Such an interesting post.
V

Forest Dream Weaver said...

I've heard Anish Kapoor say his art is about ideas. So,Cosmos there really is more to this than how it looks!

Thanks for your comments.
Have a lovely week,
Ruby

stardust said...

Ruby, I’m happy to be able to welcome you back, though delayed as I was also away for about a week. I love seeing works of art and have likes or dislikes but I’m not well versed in art generally. And, the more I come to know new art, the more I become to want to learn. The red hut-like or bell-like objet looks nice in that classical architecture. Idea of beauty has differed from time to time and maybe modern arts allow more interpretations. Thank you for sharing, Ruby.

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